I. ˈprin(t)sə̇s ( before a vȯiced consonant sometimes -ə̇z), ˈprinˌses, prinˈses noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English princesse, from Middle French, from Old French prince + -esse -ess — more at prince
1. archaic : a female prince : a woman having sovereign power or the rank of a prince
so excellent a princess , as the present queen — Jonathan Swift
2. : a female member of a royal family ; especially : a daughter or a granddaughter of a sovereign
the Duchess of Kent was safely delivered … of a princess — London Times
3. : the consort of a prince
4.
a. : a woman outstanding in some usually specified respect
that princess of seamstresses
b. : something personified as female and outstanding of its kind
a winding princess of a river
5. : an attractive young woman selected to represent a commercial product, special group, or other interest publicly or to preside (as at a fair or college homecoming celebration)
the new potato princess
— compare queen
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
: to act or play the princess — often used with it
III. adjective
or prin·cesse (ˈ)prin|ses
Etymology: princesse from French, princess
1. : close-fitting and usually with gores from neck to flaring hemline — used especially of women's full-length garments
2. usually princesse : served with a garnish of asparagus usually with artichoke hearts or truffles